The gift and donation were at once taken to James Yeatman, of the Western Sanitary Commission of St. Louis. This non-profit non-governmental philanthropical organization had been established by Order of Gen. John C. Fremont at the beginning of the Civil War, to provide hospitals, nurses, and medical supplies to the Western Army. “Special Orders, No. 159, With a view to the health and comfort of the Volunteer troops in and near to the city of St. Louis, a Sanitary Commission is hereby appointed, to consist of five gentlemen, who shall serve voluntarily, and be removable at pleasure. Its general object shall be to carry out, under the properly constituted military authorities, and in compliance with their orders, such sanitary regulations and reforms as the well-being of the soldiers demand.”[xxv]
During the last years of the war, they worked closely with the U.S. Colored Troops to provide supplies to contraband camps and fugitives during the war, in St. Louis, Missouri; Helena, Arkansas; Natchez, Mississippi, and other encampments.
Endnote
[xxv] Report of the Western Sanitary Commission for the Year ending 1863”
ARCHER ALEXANDER 